The Land Below our Feet COMPLETE

PURPOSE

The Argantean army had been advancing almost nonstop with the clear purpose of reaching Mavaer as soon as possible. Njál constantly urging them to continue as they rode on their horses´ backs, barely pausing to feed and rest. His mind set on the goal that he had settled his heart on ever since he heard the story of this elusive land from his father's lips as a child.

He had been barely five years old when he was taken to his family's vault, and he had been shown the vestiges of his ancestor's armor, along with the ancient map tracing a forgotten route that his kind had not dared to venture in ages.

-Why not? – He had asked curiously, trying to wrap his infantile mind around the fact that they had been once conquerors, and they were now confined back to this cold, mostly fruitless land.

-Because we were betrayed and defeated by our own, and we swore to never go back – His father had bitterly replied – We do not wish to relive such a great dishonor ever again.

But Njál thought very differently indeed. Even as a kid, he had always known that he wanted to avenge his predecessor’s failure and fulfill their intended legacy. His father had been just as soft as the ones before him. All of them a bunch of useless cowards that had settled into their defeat without a second question and let their people suffer the consequences.

It was simply unforgivable. They were trapped in this gelid empire, starving and suffering while a whole plentiful territory and its promised richness awaited them on the other side of the ocean.

So, when he reached adulthood and his father had refused once more to endorse his enterprise and let him guide an expedition into those exotic foreign lands, he had taken out his gun and shot him in the chest before the horrified look of his mother, who had screamed until no sound would exit her mouth no more.

The soldiers had initially aimed their weapons at him. But their hesitation had let him know that perhaps they thought similarly to him. A confident smile widening on his face as he raised his hands in the air.

-You can kill me now and keep on living in this miserable land – He had spoken out loudly, looking into the eyes of the irresolute men – Or you can follow me, and I will deliver you all to the vast territory we are entitled to reclaim.

After a wavering moment, they had all put their guns down, a loud welcoming clamor greeting him. And he had known then and there, without a sliver of a doubt, that his dream was about to come true.

That is how Njál had risen to the throne and lost no time readying his men, preparing to sail.

Waiting for his fleet to be set had driven him awfully impatient as he counted the days for their departure, daydreaming about his incoming glories.

But once the ships were charged, their horses and weapons were loaded on the decks, and his men were expectant at the port. A prideful grin had extended to his predatory face, and he had been certain of his deserved success in bringing back their rightful honor to his once humiliated kind.

As he was going to be the one to finally conquer what his kinfolk referred to as Emerland.

He was standing in the middle of the hall, running his fingers through the ancestral map that would lead them to their purpose once and for all, when the voice of his mother had broken through his joyful mood.

-It is suicide, what you are sailing our people towards – She had told him defiantly in a reprimanding tone – I am so ashamed of having birthed such an egoistic megalomaniac! That land is nothing but a trap, and you are walking directly into it!

She had paused, reaching for his arm, grabbing pleadingly at it, her eyes scanning his with sadness.

-Please stop! We have already tried the madness that you are pursuing now. What makes you think that this time will be different? What makes you so sure that you are not just leading our army to an inevitable tragic demise? That land doesn't belong to us, it never did. Their lawful owners ought to fight for it... They are not just going to let you take what is rightfully theirs.

-What about our betrayers? – Njál had angrily responded – They got to stay in that bountiful land while we were expelled to this place like rats!

-They were allowed to stay because they chose to coexist in peace, they saw the lavishness of that land and made the choice to preserve it, even if it meant they were not to conquer or rule it, but simply live in it – His mother had scoffed, glaring at him – And I am certain that it is not in the least what you intend to do this time.

-Of course not, Mother! – He had shouted enraged, his hardened eyes piercing through her and making her shiver – We are warriors! We are conquerors! Our kind was once proud and strong, and I am going to bring that greatness back!

-This greed will be the end of you – She had sighed resignedly, letting his arm go – They will kill you… They will kill everyone!

-Who? – The tall warrior had puffed out with scorn – The bunch of savages? Or the bunch of defectors?

-Both – The woman had responded with sadness – Don't underestimate them, my son. After all, they have already done this once.

-Only because they had some of our own by their side, but who knows if those back-stabbers are still around – The young king had dismissed her condescendingly – We are stronger now, we have better weapons… And they have never fought against a force like me.

-That I will give you – His mother had muttered with undiluted despise – You have grown into a monster. You had murdered your own flesh and for that you should be eternally doomed. Good riddance, my son. May your sins find a suitable penance.

That night, as he remained tossing and turning in vigil with the afflictions of his incoming journey, his mother's vexing warnings troubling his heart. He had finally made up his mind and stood up, walking to his brother's chambers, his poisonous words finding their way into the still innocent child's soul.

-Listen to me Ghroghl – He had whispered, placing the map in the susceptible kid´s hands – Keep this safe for me and promise that you will avenge me if I were to fail in my mission to bring down Emerland.

-I… I swear – The infant had nodded with resolution, hugging the brother he looked up to so dearly.

Njál had returned to his bed, sleep finally embracing him calmly as he went through the details of his ambitious purpose. His confidence restored by the time they hoisted the sails and started heading to this new promised land.

And now, here he stood, proving his mother pitifully wrong. His overpowering grip finding no resistance as it tightened around this wild land's throat. A sinister scowl creeping on his face as they reached Mavaer´s unguarded gate.